Craft NI Seeks Chief Executive Officer

1. Introduction

The post is for Chief Executive Officer with the new organisation Craft NI.

The merger of the Craft & Design Collective and Craft NI completed on 1October 2017. The name of the merged organisation will be Craft NI.

Post merger we are in a period of transition as we bring together theprogrammes, processes and cultures of these two previously independent andautonomous organisations

If you would like more information on the merger please visit

2. Terms and Conditions

In the first instance, this is a two year, full time, renewable contract, subject to funding.

Salary Range £42,000 to £49,000 Depending on experience.

Relocation Financial assistance may be given towards reasonable relocation expenses for the successful candidate.

Probationary Period The appointment will commence with a probationary period of one year which may be terminated at a month’s notice by either side during the period.

Annual Leave Twenty five working days (WTE). The leave year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Leave during time-critical period will be assessed on business needs.

Contracted Hours Standard working week of 37.5 hours. Consideration may be given to flexible working arrangements.

The post holder must be willing and able to work outside normal office and flexi-time hours.

Office Location The post will be based at the organisation’s office in central Belfast.

This is a demanding post in a dynamic new organisation during a period of change which will demand the full-time commitment of the individual appointed.

3. Closing Date

Deadline for submission of completed Application Forms is 12noon, Friday 27April 2018

The completed Application Form and Recruitment Monitoring Form should be returned in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL and addressed to:

Chair, Craft NI, C/O Space CRAFT, A7 Fountain Centre, College Street, Belfast, BT1 6ET

OR by email to , subject line ‘Chief Executive Officer Recruitment’. It is your responsibility to ensure the application is received by the deadline.

Failure to complete and return the Application Form in accordance with the Guidance Notes contained in the Application Form will result in your application being disqualified.

Canvassing will disqualify.

4. Short Listing

Initial short listing will be carried out using the essential requirements in the Personnel Specification. Should further short listing be necessary, desirable requirements may be applied.

5. Interview

Interviews of short listed candidates will be held in May 2018.

The information supplied in the application will be used for the purposes of short listing. If you are short listed, you will need to articulate your knowledge and skills, and demonstrate your experience and suitablility for the post at interview.

Craft NI will treat all information and documents supplied in support of this application as strictly confidential unless required to disclose such by a statutory body in connection with any claim which may arise out of the appointment.

Craft NI

Chief Executive Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Key Objectives:

  • To drive the development of Craft NI’s effective strategic, artistic and operational leadership;
  • To deliver the artistic and organisational vision and mission, ensuring that Craft NI remains at the leading edge of current practice;
  • To further Craft NI’s regional, national and international reputation as a major centre for the presentation and promotion of contemporary craft, developing our profile and status at every level;
  • To provide an effective Company Secretarial function for the charity.

Key Responsibilities Include:

  1. Develop a high quality Programme of Professional Business Development and exhibitions of a national and international standing that reflect the vision and mission of the organisation and increase volume and reach of audience participation;
  2. Work with the Selection Committee to enhance the number of people who wish to join our register of ‘membership’. Ensure strategies are in place to ensure register development and enhance lines of communication between the organisation and the sector;
  3. Establish strong relationships with industry opinion-formers and decision makers. Keep up-to-date with latest thinking, influence key stakeholders, and ensure that Craft NI is represented and consulted at the top level within the sector. To lead collaborative/partnership programmes on behalf of Craft NI, represent the organisation at events and meetings, and pro-actively seek opportunities to raise the profile of Craft NI;
  4. Develop and lead on key partnerships with makers, external organisations and funders;
  5. Act as spokesperson and ambassador for the organisation, champion contemporary crafts regionally, nationally and internationally.

Operations:

  1. Provide visionary leadership. Lead on the organisations business planning process with the Management Board and Staff, developing, implementing and managing key activities, priorities and risk reviews;
  2. Lead on the development of strategies and partnerships for securing new sustainable income through fundraising and retailing;
  3. Manage the financial strategy of the organisation, developing appropriate financial plans, budgets, forecasts and management accounts. Effectively manage risk, generating surpluses in some areas and ensuring the organisations financial resilience;
  4. Be responsible for the recruitment and management of a team able to achieve the organisations objectives. Implement systems of reporting, appraisal and staff development and to optimize the work of the team;
  5. Manage the process of change associated with key developments, working with Trustees, Staff and other stakeholders to establish the best outcomes for the organization;
  6. Monitor the implementation of best practice and legislative requirements including the areas of Employment, Premises, Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and Diversity.

Fundraising:

  1. Lead on fundraising, with a particular emphasis on securing strategic grants (e.g. from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Trusts and Foundations) and sponsorship. To enable future growth and development in line with the vision, mission, business plan and financial strategy. Take the lead in proposing, negotiating, and managing relationships with grant funders/sponsors to ensure a sustainable future.

Governance:

  1. Ensure that Craft NI is well governed and to build effective working relationships with all Board Members. Attend and present at all Board Meetings and ensure all relevant information is available for those meetings, including financial reports and a director’s report on progress since the last meeting.

Other Duties:

  1. The Chief Executive Officer is expected to attend annual staff and board retreats, annual conference, the AGM and other events and meetings as required throughout the UK and occasionally internationally. This will sometimes require overnight stays.
  2. The above should not be regarded as exhaustive or inclusive as there may be other duties associated with the post.

Craft NI

Chief Executive Officer

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Essential

  1. Minimum of ten years professional experience in a creative setting with proven experience of strategy development and implementation on a regional and national basis;
  2. High-level project management experience;
  3. Knowledge of retailing and marketing;
  4. Excellent relationship management techniques with highly developed interpersonal, communication, influencing and negotiating skills;
  5. Strong leadership skills and performance management abilities;
  6. Knowledge of funding opportunities;
  7. Excellent understanding of budgets and accounts;
  8. High level of demonstrable knowledge of the Creative Industries;
  9. Analytical skills and a creative approach to problem solving.

Desirable

  1. Knowledge of charity and/or company law;
  2. Experience of working with a Board of Trustees or similar governance structure;
  3. Experience of developing entrepreneurial activities;
  4. Experience of developing professional development programmes;
  5. Sound understanding of information technology and digital marketing;
  6. Evidence of implementation of strategic development with organisations relevant to the sector at national and international level.

COMPETENCIES

Craft NI will operate a competency based appraisal process. The competencies associated with this post are listed below.

Leadership and Strategic Thinking

  • Inspires through dynamic leadership;
  • Communicates a compelling vision for the future that generates energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the team;
  • Takes a strategic perspective, striving at all times to understand the longer term direction of the charity. Develops strategic plans to integrate operational requirements with longer-term goals;
  • Constantly reviews the key elements of current strategy, undertaking reality tests by monitoring performance against goals;
  • Takes difficult decisions and measured risks;
  • Resilient and determined when dealing with other people;
  • Recognised as a leader in the sector, influencing sector debates and direction.

Management and Team Working

  • Visible in their activities and approachable to all;
  • Orchestrates events and opportunities to pull the team together;
  • Challenges and is prepared to be challenged by others;
  • Valued for sound application of knowledge and expertise;
  • Generates succession plans, builds cross-functional teams;
  • Monitors performance and gives effective feedback. Addresses poor performance, is fair, consistent and unbiased;
  • Sets objectives and personal development plans; ensuring that all staff have the necessary skillset in relation to their job.

Communication

  • Is able to create and implement a communication strategy to promote a particular course of action;
  • Puts forward convincing presentations at Board level on complex issues and responds effectively to questions;
  • Uses diplomacy and advocacy to explain, convince and get agreement to major plans, changes and new ventures, which affect the Charity as a whole;
  • Proactively seeks opportunities to share information;
  • Is prepared to confront and challenge in a proactive way.

Thinking and Decision Making

  • Able to balance pressures of the current situation against longer-term strategic goals. Produces logical, practical solutions;
  • Sharp analysis of issues – able to identify cause and effect. Able to identify key skills/ individuals for resolution in crisis;
  • Considers wider implications – seeks evaluation and feedback for Charity wide decisions which impact on performance, control and strategic development of the Charity.

Focusing on Delivery

  • Regularly reviews structure, systems and planning process. Develops annual operating plans including resourcing for teams. Schedules people, equipment and budgets;
  • Draw up contingency plans; maintain focus on key objectives for self and team. Monitor trends and variances against plan;
  • Help others focus on results that must be achieved. Will commit significant resources to reach a challenging goal while taking actions to minimise the risks.

Customer Focus

  • Is keenly attuned to the changing nature of Craft NI and its future needs. Understands business/tactical goals;
  • Brings new opportunities to the Board and ensures audience development is at the forefront of strategic planning;
  • Is able to give informed advice on the services provided by Craft NI;
  • Provides innovative solutions that are considered as best solutions within the sector.

Financial and Sector Awareness

  • Able to use financial analysis to support strategic decision-making. Uses knowledge of external environment to assess impact on our market and educates others on new sector possibilities;
  • Oversees the production of accurate and timely reports or management accounts, and is aware of financial aspects external environment;
  • Uses broad knowledge of external economic and social trends to prepare new business strategies;
  • Has knowledge of likely sources of funding and prepares strategic plans for fundraising activities.

Learning and Improving

  • Taking a strategic approach with regard to specialist skills, reflects and evaluates effectiveness of current corporate initiatives to drive further progress;
  • Ensures the organisation continues to drive forward by benchmarking progress. Creates a culture of continuous improvement and performance;
  • Recognised externally as an industry expert or leading authority in the field. Develops new thinking and concepts which give significant advantage to Craft NI.